Mesothelioma Compensation Royal Navy 10 Things I'd Loved To Know Earlier
Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy
The Ministry of Defence changed its policy on the 16th of December to allow service personnel suffering from mesothelioma the option of receiving the lump-sum amount or a traditional war pension. The decision did not apply to all veterans already diagnosed with mesothelioma.
This included Rhod Palmer and Fred Minall, who were exposed to asbestos in their military service as well as civilian jobs. This was a terrible injustice to their families and the people they loved.
The law has changed
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of terminal cancer that develops from exposure to asbestos. It can take a long time before symptoms are evident and once diagnosed, many sufferers will live for a minimum of just one or two years.
The decision of the Government to amend the law is a significant step towards. In April 2016, armed forces veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma will have the option to choose whether to receive their pension or receive a lump sum of up to PS140,000. This is substantially more than the average civilian compensation award.
Prior to the changes, armed forces veterans who were diagnosed with mesothelioma were able to receive the War Disablement Pension. It was a monthly income and was not suitable for those suffering from severe long-term diseases such as mesothelioma. Additionally it was not possible to obtain lump sum compensation under the War Pension Scheme.
After a long-running campaign, aided by the Royal British Legion, Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum and the Royal British Legion, the law was amended to give veterans of the armed forces who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma the right to an amount of lump sums up to PS140,000 in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum is tax-free.
Prior to this, mesothelioma patients was a valid reason to receive a war-related disability pension of up to PS32,000 if the patient was unmarried, divorced or widowed. Civilians suffering from mesothelioma on the other hand are eligible for PS600,000.000 under the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.
The new law will apply to all veterans of the armed services diagnosed with mesothelioma who wish to pursue this option. It will also be accessible to those who were exposed to asbestos during their military service and outside of it, known as 'dual exposure'.
Mesothelioma UK has already started helping former sailors and other armed personnel with mesothelioma-related claims. We can help them understand the new laws and the implications. We can also help clients to determine the best way to obtain compensation. This could include tracing the companies that may be accountable for their exposure to asbestos.

The lump sum amount will be PS140,000
Compensation is determined by a range of variables, including the age of the person, their life expectancy following mesothelioma, and the amount of care needed. It is also based on the impact mesothelioma's disease has caused on family members as well as whether or not the patient can continue to work.
Asbestos victims must seek compensation from asbestos exposure responsible parties. If they are unable to locate the responsible parties, a government program will pay lump sums of money to mesothelioma sufferers. The average amount is around PS144,000.
Former servicemen who were diagnosed with mesothelioma diffuse weren't eligible to claim the pension for war disabilities under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008 This is a monthly payment based on an individual's age and the degree of their disability. This is a smaller amount than the mesothelioma civil settlement, which can be in the six figures.
Fred Minall, 74 from Northampton Fred Minall, 74, from Northampton, who was an engineer for the naval branch of the Royal Navy between 1957 and 1965, has now been informed that he is entitled to a lump sum of PS140,000 under the new law. He suffers from mesothelioma, an incurable lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos.
Simpson Millar, a mesothelioma lawyer, says that this is a major victory for veterans with mesothelioma. The majority of Navy personnel, as well as many civilians, docked at US ports throughout their careers where they were exposed harmful asbestos fibres. This is because of the widespread use of asbestos on American ships at the time. The symptoms of mesothelioma may not be apparent for a long time and leave veterans with a limited compensation options.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that veterans with Mesothelioma, who had not received an amount of war-pension, will be offered up to PS140,000 as a lump-sum payment. This is a significant increase from the current amount non-married mesothelioma veterans receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
However, this new payment will be deducted from any war pensions an individual receives. As a result, it is crucial that anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma who is considering applying for this new payment gets advice from experienced mesothelioma attorneys to ensure they receive the best deal.
It's a win to the Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion has issued an abrasive critique of the government for failing to keep its promise to legislate the military covenant. The charity has asked the minister to explain why the government isn't respecting its promise to veterans. It has also threatened to withdraw from several forums where it has been working with the Ministry of Defence.
The Legion's involvement with the MoD is crucial, but it needs to be more productive to ensure that the community is being treated in a way that makes a real difference to their lives. It is essential that the feedback loop in forums is improved so that any issues that are not being addressed are recognized and the reasons for this are explained.
As the oldest and largest Armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion is at the center of the national network that provides assistance to members of Armed Forces and their families. The Royal British Legion is the best organisation to comprehend the issues facing those who have served as soldiers, their widows and orphans, and their families.
The fact that mesothelioma patients are often left without financial security is among their main worries. The compensation available is not always enough to cover living expenses or medical costs, and mortgages are often impossible to obtain.
This is especially relevant to Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma since asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding and other Naval activities. This has left many veterans struggling with the symptoms of their disease and the impact on their financial health.
However there are a lot of organisations that can help with this. For instance, mesothelioma attorneys can assist in obtaining legal compensation for sufferers, which can be used to pay for treatment or cover essential living expenses. Patients with mesothelioma can also claim compensation from companies that supplied asbestos products.
mesothelioma death compensation will be delighted.
The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma can get a lump-sum payment of PS140,000. This will enable them to receive a substantial financial assistance to ease the financial pressure that mesothelioma can cause their families.
Former service members who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are sure to appreciate this news. The law has been modified to allow them to be paid the same amount as civilian patients who have mesothelioma compensation claims.
The change is a result of the campaigning of the Royal British Legion and other groups, which resulted in the Prime Minister agreeing to examine the issue. The MoD's U-turn will allow a number of dying veterans who would have been entitled to a pension to opt for a lump-sum. This will provide them with the peace of mind they require and the financial support they need to live out the rest of their lives.
Asbestos is linked to mesothelioma. It can take decades for symptoms to manifest but even a single exposure could increase the chance of developing the condition. The vast majority mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos while working, which includes in Navy shipyards. The UK law was changed last year to permit people to sue employers if exposed to asbestos in the workplace however, many veterans are not aware that they can seek compensation from the government.
Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer and there aren't words to express the way it has affected many lives. The decision of the government to address the unfair treatment of military veterans is a major victory.
But it's not enough to stop the suffering of veterans suffering from mesothelioma as well as their families. They'll also have to seek compensation from the companies who supplied the military with asbestos products. Veterans may be able to file trust fund claims with a variety of different corporations based on where they worked, which could include shipyards, bases, and ships. This could include a range of multinational corporations that have been known to sell asbestos-related products to the US Navy and other branches of the Armed Forces.